Annwfn
Imagine if you will that the world is
made of more than three dimensions. That most people only experience these
three dimensions but that there is a fourth, and even a fifth. That reality was a honey-comb or a foam with
bubbles all mushed together, each reality pushing and pressing up against each
other. This is Annwfn, (Anne-win) a blend of Never Neverland, Narnia, heaven,
hell, the Summerlands, and faeryland; or should I say that these places are
versions of Annwfn.
The word its self comes from the
middle Welsh for deep or depth. It is a different dimension, in the truest
sense of the word. Often this idea expresses its self by stating its
underneath; under the ground, under the sea, under. Sometimes it is expressed
as over; over the water, over the bridge, crossing over. Sometimes as being
islands separate from here, where ever “here” maybe.
The Glass Fortress and the Four Peaked
Fortress being important places spoke in Welsh mythology with Annwfn. These are
special interest to me personally because I have travelled to these places in
my journeying well before I had heard or read of them. Still more interestingly
are perhaps the faeries, not that they are alone in inhabiting different
bubbles within this foam. These pan-dimensional beings are often a simply call “spirit”
and yet spirits, guides, fey or faery have different abilities and levels of
connection to the physical world.
Fae seem to have the ability to
traverse from bubble to bubble with relative ease and skill; though they are
often tied to specific locations or habitats where The Veil is weaker, or there
is a doorway or portal. Some travel by tree, rock or water, some punch holes
from this place to somewhere else (this may explain the “glowing orb” or faery
light). It is interesting that in similar habitats in distant countries similar
faery folk are described with the same likes and dislikes and needs. While the
names change the creatures tend to be quite consistent.
The Veil then would be the surface of
these bubbles, the substance that connects and binds reality together. There is
some substance to all this at least in the world of physics. It would certainly
explain why gravity (comparatively) is such a weak force. The Veil seems to
have seasonal ups and downs, with Beltane and Samhain being some of the thinnest
times of the year.
All spirit based practices have to
traverse these lands or call on spirit to traverse them. Some are resplendent
and glorious, some like earth and some made of mirk and darkness. Drumming, sound and ritual are the most common
way to “slip your skin” to walk in these worlds, though intoxication is also
used. The Dreaming of myth, music and ritual push and warp the Veil adding in
spirit travel and communication with those beyond. It was said that the dead were voiceless,
save for the bards to speak their words and deeds. Perhaps it is this that they
meant, that it is those whom walk between whom must speak for them as best as
they can.
